Flooding Hits Connellsville First; Residents Prepared

With many townships bracing for potential flooding this weekend, the Connellsville area got hit first.

A flood warning went into effect early Friday morning for the Youghiogheny River.

Channel 11 News reporter Cara Sapida has been watching the water rise in the town of Jacob's Creek. So far, the flooding is not major.

VIDEO: Flooding Expected To Hit Connellsville First

Workers with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation have been watching River Road from Jacob's Creek.

Residents were busy Friday building barriers around their homes and moving valuables out of their basements. And firefighters went door-to-door alerting people to make plans to evacuate if the water gets too high.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY: Flood PreparednessMAP: Interactive Pittsburgh Floodway MapALERT: Sign Up For Pittsburgh Flood AlertsEMERGENCY KIT: How To Prepare A 72-Hour KitTIPS: Protect Your HomePDF: Flood Safety PreparationSANDBAG: How To Properly Sandbag

"We stick it out until they tell us we have to go," said Jacob's Creek resident Kellie Vargo. "And then we don't go. We go up to the railroad tracks and watch the water take our house away."

The Vargo family said their home would be the first to go under, because it's considered the lowest point in town. On Friday, family members called off work to clear things from the home.

"I moved all of our furniture from downstairs to upstairs, and half the furniture went to our friend's house," said Sharon Vargo.

In 1996, when flooding struck the town, the Vargos said they weren’t prepared, and water rushed in and washed everything away.

"We're hoping it's lower this time," said Sharon Vargo.

The flood of 1996 wiped out Martucci's Funeral Home. On Thursday, owner Vito Martucci placed sandbags around the property.

“We're anticipating high water here, so we're getting ready for it,” he said.

In Dawson, a town close to Jacob's Creek, a former fire chief is keeping tabs on water levels as well.

"It's gone up 2 inches," said Dave Hone. "I'm hoping it's not a disaster like in 1996."

"You prepare for the worst and pray for the best, which is why there is a lot of prayers going on today," said Kellie Vargo.

Previous Stories: March 6, 2010: Sharpsburg Residents Prepare For Flood Possibility March 6, 2010: Pittsburgh Prepares For Flooding As Snow Thaws

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